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  • Brace yourselves: Facebook rolls out new profile pages

    By Eric Stoller December 6, 2010 8:30 pm EST

    Mark Zuckerberg et al. seem to find endless joy in making us learn a new user interface (UI). It is once again time for a major Facebook UI update. This time it's profile pages that have received a major overhaul. My first impression: I like it. Unlike previous UI changes that were overwhelming shocking in their approach, this redesign feels right. With more than 500 million users, Facebook finally seems to have an understanding of what works for their users.

    The "wall, info, and photos" tabs are no longer displayed at the top. Instead, they are moved to the left sidebar. Selected informational items are displayed above tagged photos in the central content area. According to Facebook, the new profile design is being slowly rolled out to users. Status updates, the heart and soul of Facebook, seem to be the only area that folks are having trouble finding. Instead of a text box where updates could be entered, users have to click on "status" link now located below tagged photos in order to activate the status entry box.

    Facebook has a nifty help section for finding out all about the new profile changes. Overall, it would appear that Facebook is trying to make the most popular areas of Facebook more prominent. If you are new to Facebook (it's okay, I know you are out there), the changes will probably make the site easier to use. As a seasoned Facebook user, I can say that this is one of the few Facebook UI updates that does not make me want to join a "revert back to the old look please" groups.

    What do you think? Do you think that the new profile UI is a step in the right direction? Like? Dislike?

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Comments on Brace yourselves: Facebook rolls out new profile pages

  • now i understand ...
  • Posted by debbie ritter-williams on December 8, 2010 at 5:00pm EST
  • About a week ago, my Facebook home page refused to load. Still non-functional, even though everyone else in my household has no problems with their Facebook pages. I noticed this is a "known issue" on FB - now I wonder if this issue is connected with the new UI? Anyone know?

    -I want my home page back!
  • Facebook
  • Posted by Archana Khadka , Student at Schoolcraft on December 9, 2010 at 4:00am EST
  • The new profile UI is very helpful. You can navigate your profile from one central place, making it easier to get to your information, photos, and more. You can share more about work and your education. The profile is more visual and includes new interests such as, your favorite sports. I really like the new profile UI.
  • Change is hard
  • Posted by Conni Claflin , Doctoral Student at Walden Unviersity on February 7, 2011 at 11:30am EST
  • I personally think the new UI is great - very user friendly and got rid of some of the "clutter" at the top of the page. My one complaint is one you mentioned: the status update was difficult to find the first time. I have been hearing many of my students groan and complain - but that lasted about 2 days. I think any change has growing pains and people who don't like it because it is "different". But give it a few days and people get used to it. By now, I don't even remember what the old UI looked like!

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